We’re home after a quick trip down to Santa Barbara. I’ve always wanted to check out that pretty city, and I’m so glad we did—partly because it really was pretty and partly because every vacation we take helps me figure out what works best for us while we travel. Maybe a couple of my latest ideas will work for to your family too.
- When staying in hotels, I like housekeeping to come in. We usually opt not to, but after this trip, I decided fresh towels, made beds, and empty trash cans make a huge difference in enjoying our stay.
- Wherever we’re staying, I must keep personal belongings organized! It’s partly caused by the toddlers (who do things like hide shampoo bottles under the furniture) but largely caused by us adults. From now on, the moment I walk in, I’m giving everything a place! And I’m communicating it to my husband, to prevent the forming of piles that make no sense to me. 🙂
- As our family grows, we’re going to have to start planning cheaper ways to eat on vacation. You know it is a problem when your three-year-old carries a room service menu around for two days, constantly asking what we’re going to order! (We only ever do that once per stay, but he never forgets!) A half-gallon of milk in the hotel fridge and a cereal box on top? Those days are just around the corner.
- On road trips, my husband’s philosophy is “don’t engage unless engaged.” If the boys happen to be content in the backseat, he says he’d pass a launching spaceship without pointing it out! Because once you engage, they’ll ask for more and more and more! This is a little hard for the mom who likes to point out every cow and crop we pass. (ME.)
- For future vacations with extended family, I need to warn everyone that my kids will become overtired and over-entitled. Maybe someday I will figure out how to get around this. For now, I will just warn everyone in advance. 🙂
- When things aren’t going quite right (because what vacation doesn’t have its bumps?), look for a golden experience that will turn everyone’s mood around. We rented this cruiser on the spur of the moment. I wish you could have seen Trenton proudly ringing that bell and Chase giggling away while we rode up and down the beach. Literally the rest of the trip flew smoothly by after that shared experience.
For more ideas on “vacationing” with kids, click here.
And thank you all so much for your fun comments on the “Would You Rather” post below. I’m still not sure which I’d choose, but I loved reading your thoughts! Have a great Memorial Day, everyone!
Linked up with The Better Mom.
I enjoyed reading this post, Erica! And I missed you while you were offline and on vacation. Glad to hear things went well! Wish us luck, as well, on our upcoming diversion . . . I mean vacation!
Ha! Diversion is so accurate! Good luck, dear! I’ll miss you!!
Oh, I just love this blog! I enjoy your writing, subject matter, and your honesty!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings! I really do look forward to your posts.
P.S. My Andrew would have totally eaten up that cruiser! Totally jealous!
Thank you so much, Emily! I’m SO glad! I would have loved to have seen Andrew’s face on there too!
I like that “do not engage unless engaged” rule. I am the mom who points out every cow and crop, too! So I think I’ll use that rule… Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed your vacation! That cruiser looks like so much fun!
Alana
I am glad that you got to take your trip to Santa Barbara. Did you have time to check out the fun park in the downtown area. Too bad we had family in town this weekend, it would have been fun to meet up there. That beach cruiser looks like tons of fun for the boys (and you two). Thanks for sharing your tips.
Don’t engage unless engaged… good thinking. We still have challenges getting our kids to sleep anywhere away from home, but I dream of an upcoming Disney vacation! Glad you had a fun family time!
Yeah, the hardest thing for me about being away from home is letting go of complete control over their sleep. Oh man, it is hard! In the hotel room we spring for an on-demand family movie at bedtime. Chase konks out right away, and Trenton usually watches most of it. But at least everyone’s quiet and happy! I hope your Disney vacation happens soon!
I love the “don’t engage unless engaged” – my husband is always full of words of wisdom like that too. Sometimes, they see it so clearly 🙂 And staying organized is tough in a new spot – I never remember where I decided to set my keys or purse or phone … and have to frantically search for it almost every time.
And I’m with you on letting go of control over their sleep – we both have a strange obsession with their sleep (and see obvious impact on their behavior) so try hard to stay as close to normal as possible.
We just got back from five days away from home and “overtired and over-entitled” EXACTLY describes my almost 3-year-old by the end of the trip. I think a big part of it is you can’t really have a battle of wills at someone else’s house or in a public place; the other part of it, for my kids, is it’s a completely new situation. One day they’ll be older and it will be easier… but by then I’ll have other kids to worry about!
Exactly! Right when I start thinking things are looking up I remember I’m eventually going to do it all over again! haha
Thanks, Alison!
This looks like lots of fun!!!
Oh those palm trees are wonderful!! Looks like a fun vacation, and what wonderful lessons you’ve learned- thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Nicole
Working Kansas Homemaker (.com)
I love over tired and over entiltled…so perfectly explained!